The Klaipeda Port green hydrogen project is rapidly advancing towards its completion. Recently, a key milestone was reached when the main component of the future hydrogen station, the electrolyzer, successfully passed factory tests in Italy.
“The successful completion of the green hydrogen electrolyzer factory tests represents a major breakthrough for the Port of Klaipeda in its plans to produce, use, and supply clean fuels. This milestone brings us much closer to the completion of a unique project in the region and to the reduction of our environmental footprint,” said Algis Latakas, general director of the Klaipeda State Seaport Authority.
“The Port Authority and its partners have ensured the flawless operation of the core systems of the green hydrogen base, allowing the project to stay on course. The equipment will be shipped to the Port of Klaipeda for installation and on-site testing. We plan to start producing clean fuels next year,” added Latakas.
The green hydrogen production and supply station, which will begin operating in the Port of Klaipeda next year, will house a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. When operating at full capacity, approximately 127 tons of green hydrogen will be produced annually, part of which will be used to power the country’s first hydrogen-powered vessel, currently under construction.
The electrolyzer destined for Klaipeda is manufactured at the IMI Remosa plant in Cagliari, Italy. The Port of Klaipeda will become the first in Lithuania and the Baltic States to produce and supply green hydrogen. The decision to undertake such an ambitious project was made taking into account global sustainability trends, environmental challenges, and the goal of promoting energy transformation and development, as well as contributing to the solution of greenhouse gas emission problems.
The company, winner of the public tender announced by the Klaipeda Port Authority, is expected to complete the construction by the end of the year. Once the construction is finished, the installation and testing of the hydrogen equipment will proceed. All construction and installation works are scheduled to be completed by February of next year.
The project is being implemented within the framework of the Lithuanian Next Generation Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan, funded by the European Union’s Next Generation EU recovery and resilience mechanism. The total estimated cost of the hydrogen production and refueling station is approximately USD 15 million, of which about USD 7.5 million comes from European Union funds.
